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HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS

Projecting a healthy image

HITTIN’ THE ROAD: Rhode Island Medical Imaging employees often take to the pavement at lunch time thanks to a year-old push for employee wellness.

PBN PHOTO/PAUL KANDARIAN

Posted:
Saturday, August 11, 2012 12:05 am

By John LarrabeeContributing Writer

At Rhode Island Medical Imaging Inc., employees have no excuse for skipping fresh fruit and vegetables.

As part of the company’s wellness program, employees can sign up to purchase locally grown produce, and the groceries will be delivered to their office.

RIMI, a diagnostic-imaging company with facilities in Providence and several other communities, launched a wellness push in April 2011 to help control health care costs. At this point, 90 percent of its 182 employees are signed up.

The program is still too new for RIMI to have any statistics on its success, but people are changing their habits, according to Lynn Flynn, director of human resources. “Groups have been forming for ‘Biggest Loser’ competitions,” Flynn said. “We’ve put together teams for road races. And a lot of employees get together to go walking at lunch time.”

Those most committed to fitness have established a rivalry with the staff at University Medical Foundation, a Providence clinic. To date, challenges have focused on weight loss and hours spent exercising. “And we’re rewarding the top team with a healthy lunch, ” Flynn said.

Those who sign up see their share of their health-plan premium reduced by 20 percent.

The program also includes discounts at the YMCA and Breathing Time Yoga; wellness coaches who offer advice by phone; office clinics for blood pressure; and access to an online wellness portal. “The site can even help you find assistance paying medical bills,” said Flynn. •

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